10.09.2008

PBS's "Wide Angle" did a report about the Iraqi refugee crisis and I found the report truly eye-opening and incredibly important. The point I found most chilling beyond the moral element that these 2 million refugees have nowhere to go, no way to earn a living and are growing increasingly desperate for help despite all the UN has done, is that filling the void are organizations like the Mahdi Army. The same Mahdi Army responsible for the majority of insurgent attacks and sectarian destabilization in Iraq, and they are using the desperation and alienation to recruit more insurgents.

Jordan's Queen Noor says in the report: "Unthinkable consequences await a world that does nothing to solve this refugee crisis." in regard to the 2 million refugees in Syria and Jordan. The obvious consequence is further destabilization of a region already on edge.

If you have the time to watch the report it is full of emotional and eye-opening interviews, offers some uplifting elements and some real problems this crisis poses. It is also a superb example of what quality journalism can be.

Refugee International has information on ways to help. Whether it is a letter to congress, petitions to sign or donations to aid organizations. There is also a lot of information about the crisis on this website if you don't have time to watch the PBS report.

Even with all the issues affecting us like the economy, the elections and the environment I personally feel this is an incredibly important issue. Morally we as Americans have a stake in these peoples lives, and rationally we can't let 2 million people, (500,00 children) become alienated, let moderate countries to become unstable and let radical organizations grow from our lack of attention.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope the issue will attract the attention it merits and we can all help remedy this crisis.

Also, if any of you know of other resources to help please let me know. Thanks.

10.07.2008

Freedom of religion is not a one-way street. Instead of simply letting their gods condemn people like me to hell they've forced us all to live a hell of their own creation.

Yet again, followers of Islam have brought terror to the heathen literary world because of a book of fiction. Here are the words of some defenders of this atrocious act of violence:

"Is Muhammad YOUR PROPHET. Only muslims have the right to say anything about him."

"I mean its really pathetic bcoz you have no interest in your own religion therfore are jealous of the fact that muslims have a strong belief."

"Islam is yet again painted in bad light as a result of direct provocation."

Muhammed is not my prophet, so I can or cannot say whatever I want about him. I am definitely not jealous of the horribly primitive laws by which Islam or any other major religion places upon it's followers. And, no one provoked these reactions. No one is forced to read this book. Heck, the book hasn't even been published yet. Is the religion of Islam so fragile that the simple existence of differing ideas fatally threaten it's foundation?

Before anyone of Christian belief starts tossing rocks they may want to remember that with the exception of violent reactions, they too are affiliated with a religion that bans, boycotts and cries about free speech. Here's some recent examples that are pretty absurd: Harry Potter and The Da Vinci Code. And let's not forget Sarah Palin injecting religious beliefs into her policy by trying to ban books.

I've heard some on the liberal side mention banning Right-Wing authors who promote violence and hatred and to them I offer the same advice: If you don't want to hear it, don't read it. That is also your freedom.

Salman Rushdie said it best in his book, "The Satanic Verses":

"To name the unnamable, to point at frauds, to take sides, start arguments, shape the world and stop it from going to sleep. And if rivers of blood flow from the cuts his verses inflict, then they will nourish him. He is the satirist."

May we all stay awake and may the satirist continue to point at frauds. And if rivers of blood do continue to flow, may the satirist grow even stronger.

Smart People Say So

"What you risk reveals what you value." - Jeanette Winterson

“Nationalism is our form of incest, is our idolatry, is our insanity. 'Patriotism' is its cult. Love for one's country which is not part of one's love for humanity is not love, but idolatrous worship.” -Erich Fromm

"If you are afraid to be wrong, you will never have an original idea." - Sir Ken Robinson

“I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.” - Stephen F. Roberts

"The noblest kind of retribution is not to become like your enemy." - Marcus Aurelius